Meeting and event budgets can be tricky to balance. Between venue costs, food and beverage, entertainment and travel, there are numerous line items to consider. As companies and groups look to incorporate more sustainable elements into their culture, a new budget category has emerged: carbon pricing.
The environmental impact of travel in the form of CO2 emissions is an area that can be managed in several ways. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has designed a toolkit for planners to begin, strengthen or lead the way in responsible identification and oversight of business travel impacts. Smart travel decisions, tracking of emissions, selection of sustainable suppliers and investing in decarbonization each play a role in protective climate practices.
One of Virginia Beach’s greatest attributes for carbon-conscious planners is its accessibility. Located on the Atlantic Ocean coastline and within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population, the city is easily reachable by car, bus, train or plane. Home to the nation’s first convention center to be certified LEED® Gold for existing buildings, it also offers a bevy of ways to incorporate sustainable programming elements from plant-based menus and local food sourcing to recycling and composting campaigns encouraged by an award-winning Green Event incentive program. And once you’re here, the city’s famed beach, oceanfront Boardwalk and so many attractive amenities are within easy reach on foot or via our year-round electric fleet of Freebee courtesy vehicles.
Wherever your organization or company lies on the carbon-conscious continuum, Virginia Beach is prepared to meet and support its commitments toward more responsible and climate-friendly events.
